From MTU News: Putting Stamp Sand to Good Use, and Then Some

Stamps sands, materials left over from stamping copper out of mine rock, cover 1,426 acres of shoreline and lake bottom near Gay, Michigan. (Photo courtesy Michigan Tech University)

By Kimberly Geiger *
Posted Aug. 1, 2018
Reprinted here with permission

The Whiz Kids team from Lake Linden-Hubbell High School have participated in eCYBERMISSION, a US Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP). Their mission: research and develop a process to benefit their community.

The Whiz Kids -- Siona Beaudoin, Beau Hakala and Gabriel Poirier -- is the only team from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The group has been advised by students, faculty and staff from Michigan Technological University and focused on stamp sands for the past three years.

"Our elementary school, playground and football field were constructed on top of stamp sands -- materials left over from stamping the copper out of the mine rock," the team wrote in their AEOP grant proposal. "Also, many of our grandparents worked in area mines."

The team decided to try to use some of the stamp sand. Their goal was twofold: decrease the amount of stamp sand in the area and help prevent it from migrating any further.

This photo shows how the black stamp sands from Gay (at right) have been moving down the Lake Superior shore and around the breakwater at Big Traverse, threatening the clean sand on the other side. They also threaten fish spawning areas in the lake at Buffalo Reef. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

Because stamp sand is rich in copper, many plants cannot grow in it. In fall 2016, the Whiz Kids decided to see which plants could grow in stamp sand. Using containers under grow lights at their school, they determined alfalfa and fescue grew well, while trefoil and red clover did not. This research won them first place in the national e-CYBERMISSION 8th grade competition. The team is now growing alfalfa and fescue in test plots on the Lake Linden stamp sands.

Three students pick up sand samples at the Gay stamp sands. (Photo courtesy Michigan Tech University)

In fall 2017, as ninth graders, the Whiz Kids placed first in Michigan. Instead of progressing through the eCYBERMISSION competition, they won an $1,800 STEM in Action Grant from the AEOP to continue researching stamp sand.

This time, the team used stamp sand from Lake Linden and nearby town of Gay as part of the fine aggregate in concrete. They found that the compressive strength of concrete made with stamp sand and commercial sand exceeded the strength requirements of lightweight concrete.

"Their hard work and dedication to a local scientific problem has shown that a few students at a small school can make a huge impact on their community. Growing plants on stamp sand and using stamp sand in concrete have opened the door to methods that could actually be used to remediate the stamp sands in the Lake Superior watershed."

-- Nick Squires, science teacher, Lake Linden-Hubbell High School

Each year Nick Squires, Lake Linden-Hubbell science teacher, offers his students activities for learning about the local ecology and stewardship practices in an area that has been disturbed by mining waste and remediated as a Superfund site. Here he shows his biology students how to plant dark-green bulrush and red-osier dogwood near the shore of Torch Lake in May 2016. These students also monitored the Lake Linden Village Sands (where the Torch Lake Superfund covered stamp sand from mining with vegetation) and collected data for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (Keweenaw Now file photo)**

Whiz Kids Go to Washington

Both last year and this summer, the Whiz Kids traveled to Washington, DC, to present their work at the eCYBERMISSION National Competition. This year's trip began on Father’s Day, June 17 -- the day of the Houghton County flood. They were supposed to leave on the 6 a.m. flight at the Houghton Airport.

Gabriel Poirier made it there on time. Beau Hakala was stuck in Mason between two mud slides that covered M-26. With the help of people in Mason, he and his family were driven through the flooded roads to Siona Beaudoin’s house, so that her father could drive them to the airport. United Airlines staff and TSA employees helped everyone stranded. The flight finally left around 5 p.m. and the team arrived in Washington, DC, at midnight.

While in DC, the team presented their concrete research at an eCYBERMISSION showcase and poster session. As part of the week-long activities, the team met with U.S. Representative Jack Bergman and Senator Debbie Stabenow to discuss their projects and their potential impact on the community.

The Whiz Kids are pictured here in Congressman Jack Bergman's office. (Photo courtesy Michigan Tech University)

With help from Representative Bergman, the team met with scientists at the EPA to learn how the agency implements new remediation methods. The team also received information about EPA contacts in Chicago and Duluth to discuss their projects in greater detail.

The Whiz Kids team members stand with EPA officials in Washington, DC. Mitigating stamp sand encroachment involves many stakeholders. Pictured in the blue shirts are, from left, Whiz Kids advisor Ryan Knoll, a chemical engineering senior at Michigan Tech and graduate of Lake Linden High School; Gretchen Hein, a senior lecturer in engineering fundamentals at Michigan Tech; and the Whiz Kids -- Gabe Poirier,  Beau Hakala, and Siona Beaudoin. (Photo courtesy Michigan Tech University)

As eCYBERMISSION attendees, they enjoyed engineering activities in DC, including how to operate and program drones, create a circuit and use night vision goggles to see the lights in the circuit, as well as about cybersecurity by hacking into a system.

At the recent eCYBERMISSION conference in Washington, DC, the Whiz Kids (Gabe, Beau, and Siona) learned how to use night vision goggles to see the lights in the circuit. (Photo courtesy Michigan Tech University)

Mentoring Makes the Difference

The Whiz Kids traveled to DC with their advisor Ryan Knoll, a chemical engineering senior at Michigan Tech and graduate of Lake Linden High School. Also advising the Whiz Kids are Lake Linden high school teacher Nick Squires; Gretchen Hein, a senior lecturer in engineering fundamentals at Michigan Tech; and Rob Fritz, a technical lab coordinator in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Michigan Tech. Fritz helped the team identify and test concrete mixtures.

"Ryan has been working with the team for two years," Hein says. "He is dedicated to the team and spends up to 10 hours a week with them after school."

"Ryan helped them develop technical writing skills and experimental process skills; he has emphasized the importance of science and math in high school and showed the team how their classes will help them be successful in college. He has truly been a mentor to the team."

-- Gretchen Hein, engineering fundamentals, Michigan Tech

"Mentoring this team has been a great experience for me, too," Knoll says. "It has helped me develop communication, teaching and presentation skills. The experience may have also given me an advantage while interviewing to be an engineering technician intern at Koppers Performance Chemicals in Hubbell. I look forward to working with the Whiz Kids as they continue their research throughout the next school year."

Joining the Conversation

As part of their research and interest in stamp sand, the Whiz Kids have attended public meetings on Buffalo Reef and Big Traverse.

"They were excited to see that using stamp sand in concrete was one of the proposed remediation methods," Hein says.

Researchers at Michigan Tech will help design long-term solutions for removing mine waste from the shoreline of Lake Superior and Buffalo Reef, an important fish spawning ground. According to one recent estimate, without action more than 60 percent of the reef will be smothered by stamp sands in the next 10 years.

This map shows the area of the potential 2018 stamp sands project for stamp sand removal and containment near Gay on the Keweenaw Peninsula in Lake Superior. Click on map for larger version. (Map courtesy Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

The work is in partnership with state and federal agencies, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, area businesses, community members and stakeholders -- who are approaching the problem of removing a large volume of stamp sands to protect fish habitat, homes and beaches. With creative solutions, the Whiz Kids are joining the conversation.**

eCYBERMISSION competition

Although they will be 10th graders this coming school year and are now aged out of the eCYBERMISSION competition, the Whiz Kids will not disband. Beaudoin, Hakala and Poirier will continue to work with Fritz this fall. Additionally, they will be talking with younger students in the community about stamp sand and its impact, starting with the Lake Linden Elementary School Great Explorations program. They’ll show them how to make concrete stepping stones using stamp sand as the fine aggregate.

Furthermore, the team will be mentoring the 7th grade eCYBERMISSION team at Lake Linden-Hubbell High School that will consist of Jenna Beaudoin, Chloe Daniels and Rebecca Lyons. Last but not least, Beaudoin will be working with Andrew Burton in Michigan Tech's School of Forestry on a project for the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, another competition sponsored by the US Army Educational Outreach Program.

Editor's Notes:

* Keweenaw Now guest author Kimberly Geiger is outreach coordinator in the Michigan Tech College of Engineering. She supports the dean of engineering, associate deans, and all engineering departments. Her professional background includes work in book publishing, media relations, special event production, and sales.

** See "Students learn environmental stewardship through planting, monitoring, birding at Torch Lake Superfund site."

*** See "DNR stamp sand dredging buys time; EPA provides $3.1 million for Army Corps dredging to protect Buffalo Reef fish spawning habitat."

Sen. Debbie Stabenow learns about Michigan Tech's Great Lakes research during visit to GLRC

By Michele Bourdieu

During her April 1, 2017, visit to Michigan Tech's Great Lakes Research Center, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) is interviewed by local media. On display for the Senator, in the background, is Michigan Tech's buoy for the Straits of Mackinac.

HOUGHTON -- U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) heard from Michigan Tech faculty and students about projects related to the Great Lakes during her April 1, 2017, visit to the university's Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC) in Houghton.

Several of the projects have received funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), including work on invasive species and algal blooms in the lakes, removal of the Gay stamp sand threatening fish in Lake Superior, and the Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS) that includes research buoys in the Great Lakes. 

During the Senator's visit she first heard a presentation from Amy Marcarelli, Michigan Tech associate professor of biological sciences concerning research on invasive species and algal blooms in the Great Lakes and the importance of the GLRI in funding such projects. Here is a video excerpt from Prof. Marcarelli's presentation:

During Sen. Debbie Stabenow's Apr. 1 visit to the Great Lakes Research Center, Amy Marcarelli, Michigan Tech associate professor of biological sciences, speaks about mapping and controlling algal blooms and invasive species such as Eurasian Watermilfoil in the Great Lakes. (Videos by Keweenaw Now)

Senator Stabenow expressed her own concern that GLRI funding would be cut dramatically by this administration.

Following Marcarelli's presentation, Sen. Debbie Stabenow comments on the importance of GLRI (Great Lakes Restoration Initiative) funding for Great Lakes scientific projects. Seated next to her is Michigan Tech President Glenn Mroz.

Charles Kerfoot, Michigan Tech professor in biological sciences and director of the Lake Superior Ecosystem Research Center, presented an update on the Gay Stamp Sand and the U.S. Army Corps project to dredge the stamp sand (old mining waste) that has migrated into Lake Superior, threatening especially the Native American fishery at Buffalo Reef on the east side of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Here are some excerpts from his presentation:

During Sen. Debbie Stabenow's visit, Michigan Tech Professor Charles Kerfoot explains how researchers have used Lidar (laser detection) technology to detect the migration of millions of tons of stamp sand from the former mining areas near Gay, Mich., into Lake Superior. Click on YouTube icon for larger screen.

Prof. Kerfoot described negative biological and economic impacts of stamp sand destroying benthos and fish at Buffalo Reef, the GLNPO (Great Lakes National Program Office)-funded U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to dredge the stamp sand (using a vacuum method) and the need for funding to support continued Michigan Tech research to support that project.*

Prof. Kerfoot points out how the stamp sand kills the benthos and fish and notes projected economic losses for local tribes that depend on the fishery. He also explains how the stamp sand is moving across the Big Traverse seawall into the Traverse River. Click on YouTube icon for bigger screen.

Guy Meadows, Great Lakes Research Center director, presented an update for the Senator on the Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS), which includes Michigan Tech's buoys in the Great Lakes:

GLRC Director Guy Meadows speaks about the valuable information gathered through the Great Lakes buoys and the usefulness of Michigan Tech's Web site greatlakesbuoys.org. He also notes the fact that GLOS, which includes eight Great Lakes states, receives less funding than other regional observing systems.**

Finally, the Senator learned about Michigan Tech's research program for developing autonomous vehicles.

Sen. Stabenow hears from Brent Burns, director of industry and government relations for Michigan Tech; Michigan Tech Prof. Dan Fuhrmann, chair of electrical and computer engineering; and Jeremy Bos, Michigan Tech assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, who will be the new faculty advisor for the university's Robotic Systems Enterprise program. Sen. Stabenow adds her own comments, based on her experience, on the need to be aware of the human side of autonomous vehicles -- how to make the person in the car feel comfortable -- as well as the technology.

Cameron Burke, Michigan Tech student in computer engineering, said he was excited to be working with the robotics program and autonomous vehicles and would probably focus on these in graduate school in the future. For example, he noted some of the experiments include sending the vehicles out into the snow or rain to determine how they could be safer than a regular car.

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow meets with Michigan Tech students during her visit to the Great Lakes Research Center on April 1, 2017. Students pictured with the Senator are, from left, Ryan Van Goethem, graduate student in biological sciences; Carmen Leguizamon, graduate student in biological sciences; Mitchell Anderson, computer engineering; Jennifer Ling, electrical engineering; Jacob Prins, mechanical engineering; and Cameron Burke, electrical and computer engineering. In the foreground is a Clearpath Husky, an autonomous, battery-operated ground unit created by students working on autonomous vehicle research. (Photos by Keweenaw Now)

"A lot more testing has to be done," Burke said.***

Following the presentations, Sen. Stabenow offered some closing remarks:

Sen. Stabenow comments on the need to educate the public on protecting the Great Lakes and expresses her appreciation for the research being done at Michigan Tech.

Keweenaw Now had the opportunity to ask the Senator about her views on climate change and what could be done about the present administration's plans to silence the Environmental Protection Agency and de-fund environmental projects.

She agreed citizens need to unite and "push back" against the Republicans' anti-environment agenda. The Senator said she was supportive of the March for Science (which occurred this past weekend) and the People's Climate March scheduled for April 29 and planned to participate in them.

GLRC Director Guy Meadows told Keweenaw Now he was happy the Senator was able to visit the GLRC. He noted the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is a very important source of funding, especially for remediating damage to the lakes and protecting them.

GLRC Director Guy Meadows chats with Sen. Debbie Stabenow following the presentations.

"We greatly appreciate how hard Senator Stabenow works for the Great Lakes," Meadows said.

NOTES:

* Click here to read about the Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

** The buoy was in the GLRC on Apr. 1 because the buoys come out of the water for winter in late fall so they won't be damaged by ice. They are put back in the spring. See our Sept. 13, 2015, article, "Michigan Tech/Enbridge buoy deployed in Mackinac Straits; Gov. Snyder visits GLRC."

*** Michigan Tech is one of eight universities selected to participate in a new collegiate competition -- AutoDrive Challenge, a three-year project to design, build and test a fully autonomous vehicle. See the April 12, 2017, article, "Look, Ma, No Driver: The AutoDrive Challenge," by Allison Mills, in the Michigan Tech News.

Geology expert Bill Rose to lead 2015 Keweenaw Geoheritage tours July 27-30

Bill Rose, Michigan Tech professor emeritus (Geological Engineering and Sciences), talks about Keweenaw geology at a beach near Point Isabelle on Lake Superior during one of his July 2014 Geo-tours. This year he will lead four one-day geoheritage tours of the Keweenaw by water and land -- July 27, 28, 29 and 30. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

HOUGHTON -- Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula is a place of natural beauty with a fascinating mining history. Join local expert Bill Rose, Michigan Tech professor emeritus (Geological Engineering and Sciences) in reading the landscape to learn how the Copper Country came to be the way it is today. Rose will lead four different tours during the week of July 27-30, 2015.

Each one-day field trip explores one of four major events in Earth’s history that make up the strong geoheritage of the Keweenaw -- Lavas, the Keweenaw Fault, the Jacobsville Sandstone and Copper Mining Waste of Lake Superior. Participants can expect to cover a lot of ground and be outside all the time. Travel is a combination of van transport, short walks and trips aboard Michigan Tech’s research vessel, the Agassiz. Trips are limited by boat capacity to 17 people. Each day trip costs $145 and includes lunch and snacks, boat and van transport.

At the beginning of the July 25, 2014, geotour on Jacobsville Sandstone, Bill Rose introduces participants to the sites they will visit on the Agassiz research vessel. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Highlights of this year's geotours include the following:

Monday, July 27 -- Lavas and the Keweenaw Rift: This trip focuses on the Keweenaw’s black rocks and its volcanic past -- the site of Earth’s largest lava outpourings. Visit the great lava reefs and related shipwrecks along the shoreline from Eagle Harbor to Copper Harbor, learn about the relationship between copper and lavas, walk the Lake Shore Traps on Manitou Island and visit the Greenstone lava flow -- the largest lava flow on Earth!*

Tuesday, July 28 -- The Keweenaw Fault: This trip highlights the magnificent Keweenaw Fault, a massive thrust fault which split the peninsula lengthwise and uplifted rocks, including native copper, to a place where people could find it.

Bill Rose recently spoke about the Keweenaw Fault in a presentation on Torch Lake Watershed Geology at the May 26, 2015, meeting of the Torch Lake Watershed group. Here is an excerpt from his talk:

Bill Rose explains the importance of the Keweenaw Fault during his presentation at the May 26, 2015, meeting of the Torch Lake Watershed group at Michigan Tech's Great Lakes Research Center. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Participants in the July 28 geotour will have the opportunity to trace the Keweenaw Fault along the shoreline from Bete Grise to Keweenaw Point and visit gorgeous features shaped by the fault such as Gratiot Lake, the Trap Rock Valley, the mysterious Natural Wall, celebrated Hungarian Falls and the Pilgrim River Valley.

Wednesday, July 29 -- Jacobsville Sandstone: The red rocks of the Keweenaw originate from the ancient, and once massive, Huron Mountains that eroded and filled the great valley of the Keweenaw Rift. View this stunning formation from a unique perspective via the lake. Visit the rocks on land at Point Isabelle and then by water from Grand Traverse -- passing Point Louis, Rabbit Island, Traverse Bay, and Rabbit Bay.

Geology expert Bill Rose talks about interpreting geological layers in the Jacobsville sandstone during the July 25, 2014, geotour on the east side of the Keweenaw Peninsula. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

This tour ends with a visit to the rock’s namesake, the quaint town of Jacobsville where the group will meet with local historians and community members.

Toward the end of the July 25, 2014, Jacobsville Sandstone geotour abord Michigan Tech's Research Vessel Agassiz, passengers arrive at Jacobsville for a visit with local residents and a talk about the history of the area. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Thursday, July 30 -- Copper Mining Waste of Lake Superior Today: The Keweenaw’s recent mining past is a distinctly visible part of the landscape. Learn about the dynamic lake processes that have scattered mining waste in Lake Superior and inland lakes. Highlights include visits both on land and from the lakeside to the Gay and Torch Lake stamp sands.**

This photo, taken from the Agassiz during the July 25, 2014 geotour, shows the smokestack at Gay and the stamp sand that covers a wide area of beach on Lake Superior. The stamp mill deposited millions of tons of this copper mining waste in Lake Superior, where a current has carried it for miles along the shoreline and farther into Lake Superior. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Click here for details and registration for any of the geotours.

Teachers who register for the 2015 geotours can receive Michigan Tech graduate credits through the Michigan Tech Summer Teacher Institutes. See: "Michigan Tech Summer Teacher Institutes registration extended to June 19."

Visit the Keweenaw Geoheritage Web site to learn more about the strong Geoheritage of the western UP, including the Keweenaw Peninsula and Isle Royale.

Notes:

* Click here to read about Keweenaw Lava Flows, including the Greenstone lava flow.

** For more info on the Gay Stamp Sands, including a video clip of Bill Rose speaking about them during a July 2014 geotour, see Keweenaw Now's Nov. 17, 2014, article, "Geology expert notes concerns about arsenic in Gay stamp sands as DEQ accepts comments on stamp sand removal proposal."

Geology expert notes concerns about arsenic in Gay stamp sands as DEQ accepts comments on stamp sand removal proposal

By Michele Bourdieu
 

This photo shows the smokestack at Gay and the stamp sand from the original stamp mill that operated in Gay in the early 20th century -- still on the shore near the town. The stamp mill deposited millions of tons of this copper mining waste in Lake Superior, where a current has carried it for miles along the shoreline and farther into Lake Superior. (July 2014 photo by Keweenaw Now)

GAY, Mich. -- Today, Nov. 17, 2014, is the deadline for comments on a Public Notice from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) concerning an application from Greensand Inc., to dredge stamp sand from the Lake Superior beach near the town of Gay in Keweenaw County and to build a facility to store it and process it on site for eventual removal by truck or barge.*

Bill Rose, Michigan Tech professor emeritus (Geological Engineering and Sciences) says he is concerned about the fact that the Gay stamp sand -- mining waste left from copper mining in the early 20th century -- is rich in arsenic. While some residents are concerned about the transport of the stamp sand in trucks that could occur if Greensand is given the necessary permits, Rose says the arsenic issue is more important and is not even mentioned in the Greensand proposal.

"The Gay sands are arsenic-rich," Rose says. "We do not know whether this arsenic enrichment is ever actively transmitted into surface water, because it is mainly untested and not measured."

Rose says more investigation into the arsenic content of stamp sand and more public involvement are necessary before the proposed stamp sand removal projects are approved.

During a July 25, 2014, Keweenaw Geotour of Jacobsville Sandstone Rose led on Michigan Tech's Research Vessel Agassiz, he spoke about the Gay stamp sands as tour participants viewed them from the boat:

Aboard Michigan Tech's Research Vessel Agassiz during his July 25, 2014 Keweenaw Geotour of Jacobsville Sandstone, Bill Rose, Michigan Tech professor emeritus (Geological Engineering and Sciences), describes the current that moves stamp sands along the shoreline from Gay and into the lake; he also expresses his concerns about arsenic in the Gay stamp sands. Driving the boat is Steve Roblee, Agassiz captain. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

As the Agassiz cruised along the shore south of Gay, Rose explained the difference between the primary stamp sand on the shore near the location of the former mill at Gay and secondary stamp sand that is carried by the current and redeposited on the shore southwest of Gay.

In this image, the dashed line shows the area of stamp sand near the stack in Gay (upper right) has diminished since 1938 as that toward Big Traverse has grown. Number 1 marks primary stamp sands and number 2 secondary. Click on image for larger version. (Photo courtesy Keweenaw Geoheritage Web site and Bill Rose. Reprinted with permission.)**

"Secondary stamp sand is that sand that moved from its original position south of the stack, to the southwest toward Big Traverse," Rose explained. "Secondary stamp sand is better sorted than primary sand with the fine particles being distributed to the lake bottom while the coarser sands are deposited southwest along the shore toward Big Traverse." 

This photo shows redistributed and redeposited, i.e., secondary, stamp sands 1000 meters west of Gay. (Photo courtesy Keweenaw Geoheritage Web site and Bill Rose. Reprinted with permission.)**

According to Linda Hansen, DEQ Water Quality Division, Baraga Office, who is accepting public comments on the Greensand Inc. proposal as described in the Public Notice, the application will be reviewed according to statutory criteria that includes arsenic even though it isn't mentioned in the Public Notice.

"The level of metals contained in the stamp sand is something we take into consideration relative to the statutory review criteria -- under Part 325 of NREPA (the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act), Great Lakes Submerged Land," Hansen said. "All of the Gay stamp sand is considered occupying Great Lakes bottomlands according to Part 325."***

Hansen said she will accept comments on the proposal up to midnight tonight, Nov. 17. If comments are received after the deadline, they will be accepted, but will not receive as much consideration as those received by the deadline. ****

"Any single person can request that we hold a public hearing," Hansen said. "If someone does request it (a public hearing), it probably will be held in the month of December (2014)."

Concerning the truck traffic that could ensue from the project or air quality concerns, those are beyond the scope of this review, she noted.

"We just look at the lake and what's going to happen to the lake under Part 325," Hansen explained. "What we review is impacts to Lake Superior that are lakeward of the ordinary high water mark."

This photo shows the contrast between the grey stamp sand beach on the east (right) side of the seawall in Grand Traverse Bay, which has held back some, but not all, of the moving stamp sand, and the cleaner sand on the west (left) side of the seawall at Big Traverse. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Should people have concerns about air quality that come up during a public hearing or in written comments, she could inform the DEQ Air Quality Division, Hansen added.

Rival company questions truck transport

Another company that has applied to the DEQ for removing the Gay stamp sand, but with the intention of transporting it by barge without building a facility on the land, is Torch Lake Industries. They have already received a DEQ permit for their proposal.

According to Hansen, their permit was issued, but modified with conditions. Unfortunately it is not posted on line, but can be requested through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

In a letter to local government agencies, Thomas Logue of Torch Lake Industries comments on the Greensand Inc. application.

"The applicant firm (Greensand Inc) made a presentation on June 25 in Houghton in which they stated that they intend to ship at least 1 million tons of the sand from Gay to L’Anse, Michigan, each year for the 5 consecutive year duration of their permit -- if their permit application is issued," Logue writes. "The information in this letter is my interpretation of the facts presented at that meeting. What actually happens, I have no way of knowing, except to say that if allowed the permit by MDEQ, the firm can legally run as many trucks through your community -- regardless of your town’s reaction."

Logue then cites his own mathematical calculations, assuming the trucks would run Monday through Friday, 12 hours a day, and includes return trips of empty trucks.

"This translates into one truck passing through your community each one minute and 7 seconds, half loaded trucks and the other half dead heading back to Gay," Logue continues in his letter. "Empty trucks, as you may know, are much louder than fully loaded trucks."

Logue then lists impacts of such truck traffic: air pollution, noise pollution, vibration damage to concrete foundations, safety, road damage and traffic jams.

Hansen said unfortunately Logue's advice to communities to write to the DEQ to oppose a permit for Greensand, his rival, is based on impacts not covered by the present DEQ Public Notice for the Greensand project. Greensand may have to apply for permits from the DEQ Air Quality Division or from the Michigan Department of Transportation if the truck traffic should present such potential problems.

Notes:

* Click here to read the full Public Notice.

** Learn more about the Gay stamp sands on Bill Rose's Geoheritage Web site, which also has links to scholarly articles on the stamp sand, photos and more.

*** Click here to read about Great Lakes bottomlands.

**** The public can send comments, including a request for a public hearing, directly to Linda Hansen via email at hansenl6@michigan.gov.

Public Notice: Deadline for Greensands Inc. stamp sands removal application to DEQ is Nov. 17

View of old smokestack and stamp sand (mining waste) on the shore of Lake Superior near Gay, Michigan. (July 2014 photo by Keweenaw Now)

[Editor's Note and Update: This is a reminder that the deadline for public comments on the application mentioned below is Monday, Nov. 17 (20 days after the Public Notice of Oct. 28, 2014.) We regret the late posting of the public notice. Comments can be sent directly to field staff by emailing Linda Hansen, DEQ Water Resources Division, at hansenl6@michigan.gov or by locating the file on CIWPIS on Line, at www.deq.state.mi.us/lwmpnh]

From: Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality
Water Resources Division, Baraga Operations Center
Office, 427 US 41 North
Baraga MI, 49908
906-353-7522

Greensand Inc., 52962 Big Traverse Bay Road, Lake Linden, MI 49945, has applied to the Water Resources Division (WRD), Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), for a conveyance (private use agreement) to 20 acres of Lake Superior public trust bottomlands offshore of Sherman Township, Keweenaw County. The subject Lake Superior bottomlands are filled with stamp sands deposited beginning over 90 years ago resulting from mining operations. The proposed conveyance is for a processing plant building, settling ponds, and storage of excavated stamp sands. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) is currently reviewing a permit application (#14-42-0002-P) submitted by the applicant to dredge and excavate the stamp sand deposit on the subject Lake Superior public trust bottomlands located along the Keweenaw County Road Commission property in the Village of Gay. The excavated and dredged stamp sand are proposed to be processed to separate target particle sizes at the proposed conveyance location and shipped to customers out of state via truck and rail. The proposed private use agreement would provide the applicant with the authorization from the State of Michigan to occupy the subject Lake Superior public trust bottomlands.

When an application is received for a conveyance of State-owned bottomlands, pursuant to Part 325, Great Lakes Submerged Lands, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended, the MDEQ submits copies for review to the Director of Community Health, the city, village, township, county, adjacent property owners, and other persons where the project is to be located. Additionally, notification is provided to certain persons as provided by statute or determined by the MDEQ.

Any person or agency wishing to make comments on the proposed conveyance shall furnish this office with their comments in writing no later than 20 days from the date of publication of this notice. The MDEQ will judge all proposed conveyances on their effect on the public trust in hunting, fishing, and navigation, as well as other criteria. The determination as to whether a conveyance will be issued or a public hearing held will be based on an evaluation of all of the relevant factors, including the effect of the proposed work on the public trust or interest.

Written comments on these factors will be made a part of the file and will be considered in determining if it is in the public interest to grant a conveyance. Objections must be factual and specific, and fully describe the reasons upon which any objection is founded.

Click here for the full Public Notice from DEQ.

Editor's Update (Nov. 17, 2014): Linda Hansen of DEQ Water Resources Division told Keweenaw Now that comments on this public notice will be accepted until midnight TONIGHT, Monday, Nov. 17. You can email your comments to her at hansenl6@michigan.gov. Comments received after the deadline will be accepted but will not necessarily have as much weight as those received by the deadline, which is prescribed by Michigan statute. Any one person can request a public hearing.